Preparing for the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) exam may seem like a quite the challenge. However, if you use the right techniques and study practices you can improve your chances of passing significantly. The NASCLA exam is a standardized test that numerous states accept for contractor licensing. It covers a wide range of topics, including business and law, project management, carpentry, and other trade-specific knowledge. Here are ten proven techniques to help you prepare for the NASCLA exam:
1. Understand the Exam Structure
Before diving into study materials, it’s critical to understand the structure and content of the NASCLA exam. This is an open book, multiple choice exam. There are 115 questions on the NASCLA exam. The question breakdown is below:
- General Requirements: 25
- Site Construction: 15
- Concrete: 6
- Masonry: 4
- Metals: 6
- Wood: 5
- Thermal and Moisture Protection: 5
- Doors, Window, and Glazing: 4
- Finishes: 5
- Mechanical and Plumbing Systems: 6
- Electrical Systems: 3
- Procurement and Contracting Requirements: 31
Familiarize yourself with the exam blueprint available on the NASCLA website. Knowing the weight of each section can help you prioritize your study efforts accordingly.
Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash
2. Create a Study Schedule
A well-structured study schedule is essential for effective exam preparation. Allocate time each day or week dedicated solely to studying. Consistency is key. Break down the material into manageable chunks and assign them to your study sessions. Approach a single book during each study session until you are comfortable with the structure and chapter breakdown. This approach helps prevent burnout and ensures that you cover all topics comprehensively.
3. Use NASCLA Preparation and Study Materials
Investing in study materials is one of the best ways to ensure you are getting the proper practice and gaining knowledge in the right areas. These materials are specifically designed to cover the topics tested on the exam and familiarize you with each book on the exam. They often include study guides, tutorials, quizzes, and practice exams that provide detailed explanations and insights into each subject area.
4. Take Practice Exams
Practice exams are invaluable tools for exam preparation. They help you get used to the format of the questions and identify areas where you need improvement. Many NASCLA courses include practice exams, or you can find individual practice exams for sale online. Aim to take several full-length practice tests under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam experience.
5. Tab Your NASCLA Books
Investing in book tabs is critical to finishing the NASCLA exam in the allotted time. The NASCLA exam is an open book exam. So, being able to promptly find answers in the books is essential to performing well. With book tabs, you will save time by being able to quickly navigate to sections of each book rather than flipping through numerous pages.
6. Focus on Weak Areas
After taking practice exams, identify the areas where you scored the lowest. Dedicate extra study time to these topics. It is important to strengthen your weaknesses to ensure a well-rounded understanding of all exam subjects. Utilize different resources, such as videos, textbooks, and online forums, to deepen your knowledge in these areas.
7. Use Flashcards
Flashcards are a great tool for memorizing important information. You can create your own flashcards or use digital flashcard apps. Write down key terms, definitions, and important concepts on the cards. You can also use flashcards to help you memorize where topics are located in books. Understanding what book to search in for each topic will significantly improve your test taking skills. Regularly review them to reinforce your memory.
8. Take Breaks and Maintain Balance
Studying for long hours without breaks can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Incorporate breaks into your study schedule. Additionally, ensure you maintain a healthy balance between studying, work, and personal life to keep your stress levels in check. The NASCLA exam is not an easy exam by any means. Keeping the stress levels in check by taking the proper breaks can boost your chances of passing on the first attempt.
9. Find Each Question on Practice Exams
While you may know the answer to a specific question, it is still important to find the answer in the book on your practice exams. This is to get you comfortable with navigating through each book. You will gain important knowledge scanning pages in each book on the practice exams. Having a great comfort of where material is in each book will increase your chances of passing the exam on the first attempt. However, on the real exam, do not worry about finding the answer in the book if you already know it. Time is important on the real exam, so save time by not searching for the answer if you are positive that you know it.
10. Stay Positive and Confident
Maintaining a positive attitude and confidence in your abilities is crucial. Test anxiety can negatively impact your performance, so it’s important to stay calm and composed. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or mindfulness to help manage stress. Remember, thorough preparation builds confidence.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash
Detailed Look at Each Technique
1. Understand the Exam Structure
Understanding the exam structure involves more than just knowing the number of questions. It’s about grasping the underlying framework of the exam, the types of questions asked, and the emphasis on each topic. The NASCLA exam often includes scenario-based questions that test practical application of knowledge. Familiarizing yourself with these can help reduce surprises on exam day.
2. Create a Study Schedule
Creating a study schedule requires assessing your current knowledge, determining how much time you have until the exam, and setting realistic goals. Start by outlining the main topics you need to cover and break them into smaller, manageable sections. Assign each section to a specific time slot in your schedule. Don’t forget to include review sessions to consolidate what you’ve learned.
3. Use NASCLA Preparation and Study Materials
Using NASCLA prep materials ensures that you are studying efficiently. These materials often come with practice questions that are similar in style and difficulty to the actual exam questions. Additionally, they usually cover all the topics in the exam blueprint, providing a comprehensive study resource.
4. Take Practice Exams
Practice exams not only familiarize you with the format and timing of the NASCLA exam but also help you build endurance. The NASCLA exam is 330 minutes, so building your test-taking stamina is important. After each practice test, review your answers, especially the incorrect ones, to understand your mistakes and learn from them.
5. Tab Your NASCLA Books
Having well-structured tabs for your books will help you confidently search through the books on the NASCLA exam. You will be confidence by being able to quickly find chapter(s) that you are searching for rather than flipping through indexes and pages to locate the right answer. Printed, easy to read tabs can give you back much needed time.
6. Focus on Weak Areas
After identifying your weak areas through practice tests, seek additional resources or assistance in those topics. Sometimes, a different explanation or perspective can make a difficult concept easier to understand.
7. Use Flashcards
Flashcards can be particularly effective for drilling important information into your memory. They’re portable, making it easy to study on the go. Use them to quiz yourself regularly, which reinforces your memory and helps you retain information longer.
8. Take Breaks and Maintain Balance
Incorporate breaks to rest and recharge. Use breaks to stretch, hydrate, or take a short walk. Maintaining balance also means getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising, all of which contribute to better cognitive function.
9. Find Each Question on Practice Exams
Practice exams can give you the skills that you need to increase your performance on the NASCLA exam. But keep in mind that they are practice. The real exam question may vary from the practice exam questions. Finding each item in the books on your practice exams gives you the extra practice that you might need perform well on the real exam. On the NASCLA exam, if you know the answer, do not worry about searching in the books. Time is valuable. Save time where you can.
10. Stay Positive and Confident
Confidence comes from preparation. Trust that your study efforts will pay off. On exam day, stay calm and focused. Read each question carefully and manage your time wisely. Remember, it’s normal to feel some anxiety, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Practice relaxation techniques regularly to help stay composed during the exam.
Conclusion
Preparing for the NASCLA exam requires a strategic and disciplined approach. By understanding the exam structure, creating a study schedule, using study materials, and employing various study techniques, you can enhance your chances of success. Practice exams and prep courses provide additional support and resources, while focusing on weak areas and using flashcards can reinforce your knowledge. Maintaining a balanced lifestyle and staying positive will help you stay focused and confident. With these ten proven techniques, you’ll be well on your way to passing the NASCLA exam and advancing your career as a licensed contractor.